Winter Carnival 2024: Marshmallow Mountain Retreat

[Leala]

 

It's that time of year!  The White Ajah welcomes you to our Winter Carnival!

 

We're pretty quiet nowadays, though.  So, we're just hosting an easy-going get-together.

 

Join us, grab some cocoa (or just a bunch of marshmallows) and tell us something good that happened to you this year.  Give us a good memory.  Tell us something you're excited for.  Just get in here and chat with us!  We're happy to have you here. 🤍 

 

 

 

[Cross]

well you had me at marshmallow mountain

 

*grabs a hot caramel hot chocolate and a small mountain of marshmallows to go in it, plops down in a chair* 

 

hmmm good things that happened this year.....hmm... welli suppose the best thing was i was finally able to release the book i work on with mom before she passed. and it has become the best selling book i've made so far. but mostly it was seeing it in print, seeing her name on it and peoples support and reaction to it

[LilyElizabeth]

Cross is so modest. She didn't mention how excellent that book is!

 

I love hot chocolate! I'll help myself to some rich chocolate with marshmallows.

 

As you probably all know, I am in the  process of moving. There have been some major hiccups in my receiving my money from the sale of my home. It is supposed to come no later than tomorrow. I have enough to get the truck and we will start loading it tomorrow regardless. Worse case scenerio, we end up getting a second truck, filling them both, and getting a motel for a day or two.

 

I just hope there is NOT no room at the Inn. I never mind being like Jesus, but I don't want to spend Christmas like his first one! Humor gets me through. What can I say?

[Elgee]

Hot chocolate is my favourite beverage! *Drools*

 

The best thing that happened to me this year is that I had cataract surgery on both eyes so now I can see so much better!

And since I finally got my new computer glasses last Friday, I can start to spend a bit more time online.

[Leala]

Cross, I'm so glad  you have a wonderful memory like that.  ❤️  That's so sweet. Thank you for sharing.  What is the book about?

 

You got this, Lily!  Moving is such a pain...

 

I'm glad you got all that done, Mother!  *hugs*  I hope the healing process goes smoothly.

 

I'm working on a shawl for my little sister, and I think I'm going to finish it today.  My sister-in-law gave me some yarn at Thanksgiving, and there was some in there that made me think of my little sister.  I had to buy some black yarn to go with it, because they don't make this color anymore, but it's looking nice so far.  I just have to finish this last row for the main body, and then the edging.  Then I have to weave in the ends.  🙂 

[Cross]

ooo knitting or crochet? my sis does both, she prefers knitting though. oh! reminds me, yesterday the prayer group at church apparently have also become a crocheting circle, they made sis and me scarves! such a nice surprise. 

 

the book? my favorite explanation is the tag line:  'a new house, a new life and two dead bodies in the safe'

 

so glad you finally got those glasses @Elgee! seeing helps with so much

[Cross]

oh @LilyElizabeth you might be interested. i'm on chapter 18 of the new book. 

[LadyWordsmith]

*Pours a hot matcha latte with vanilla and white chocolate, also heaped with marshmallows, and snuggles down cross-legged on a cushion by the fireplace.* 

One of the best things that happened this year, was that I completed writing the first iteration of the new curriculum for my students! Our high school English department this year decided that none of the proposed existing replacements for our (admittedly very old, but also going away...) curriculum were good enough, so we decided this summer that we were going to write our own, based on everything that was working really well about the old one, but with all the updates and changes we had wanted to make but couldn't do easily (we are an online public school, so programming is part of the challenge). I teach 12th grade (which at our school is a combination of British Literature, media literacy, and of course senior level writing skills). Very proud of my team, as some of them had never had to write their own curriculum completely from scratch before, but they are all fantastic teachers who know their subjects, and I'm extremely proud of them for how amazingly they have tackled this together (particularly since it was my idea initially, and I am only newly our team lead for our department as of this year). 
 

[Dar'Jen Ab Owain]

This is a lovely gathering.

 

(Takes a sip of hot chocolate.)

 

Work has been crazy. And trying to balance looking out for my dad with helping look over my MIL (which involves traveling between states).

 

Being optimistic for a better year ahead.

 

Looking forward to a snowy day where I do not have to go anywhere and can just enjoy watching it and enjoying the time with family.

[Leala]

Oh, my goodness.  I think my brain turned into a marshmallow during my break.  I'll take a minute to catch up soon.  ❤️ 

[Leala]

On 12/23/2024 at 11:01 AM, Cross said:

ooo knitting or crochet? my sis does both, she prefers knitting though. oh! reminds me, yesterday the prayer group at church apparently have also become a crocheting circle, they made sis and me scarves! such a nice surprise. 

 

the book? my favorite explanation is the tag line:  'a new house, a new life and two dead bodies in the safe'

 

so glad you finally got those glasses @Elgee! seeing helps with so much

Crochet!  My mom taught me a little way back when, and when I decided to pick it up recently, a lot came back with muscle memory.  Oh, that does sound lovely!    I've made a couple scarves for friends this year too.  🙂 

 

Oh!  That tagline does sound intriguing.  I love mystery/thriller novels.

On 12/27/2024 at 9:56 PM, LadyWordsmith said:

*Pours a hot matcha latte with vanilla and white chocolate, also heaped with marshmallows, and snuggles down cross-legged on a cushion by the fireplace.* 

One of the best things that happened this year, was that I completed writing the first iteration of the new curriculum for my students! Our high school English department this year decided that none of the proposed existing replacements for our (admittedly very old, but also going away...) curriculum were good enough, so we decided this summer that we were going to write our own, based on everything that was working really well about the old one, but with all the updates and changes we had wanted to make but couldn't do easily (we are an online public school, so programming is part of the challenge). I teach 12th grade (which at our school is a combination of British Literature, media literacy, and of course senior level writing skills). Very proud of my team, as some of them had never had to write their own curriculum completely from scratch before, but they are all fantastic teachers who know their subjects, and I'm extremely proud of them for how amazingly they have tackled this together (particularly since it was my idea initially, and I am only newly our team lead for our department as of this year). 
 

That sounds like a lot of work, but it also sounds like you're up for the challenge! 💪

On 12/28/2024 at 11:51 AM, Dar'Jen Ab Owain said:

This is a lovely gathering.

 

(Takes a sip of hot chocolate.)

 

Work has been crazy. And trying to balance looking out for my dad with helping look over my MIL (which involves traveling between states).

 

Being optimistic for a better year ahead.

 

Looking forward to a snowy day where I do not have to go anywhere and can just enjoy watching it and enjoying the time with family.

It sounds like you're still juggling a lot of plates, sis.  I've always admired how you're able to do all that with so much grace and kindness.  💚🤍

[LilyElizabeth]

On 12/23/2024 at 10:06 AM, Cross said:

oh @LilyElizabeth you might be interested. i'm on chapter 18 of the new book. 

 

You just made my day! 

[Leala]

One of my favorite memories from this year was bonding with my niece and my sister-in-law over crochet at Thanksgiving this year.  My niece and I were already close, but I hadn't found anything in common with my SIL yet.  Now we have something to chat about at family gatherings.  🙂 

[Leala]

I hope everyone had a wonderful new year!

 

We had a very laid back New Year's Eve and Day.  My little sister was in a car crash on NYE, but she and her husband are okay!  There was a hit-and-run.  Her car was totaled, but after we chatted about it, I told her I would text her every other day.  She's got phone anxiety, which I understand.  She and her hubby moved to Arkansas near to my parents, and I think she needs some social engagement.  I know how moving out of state can be.

[Cross]

well glad they're ok. geesh there's a lot of nuts out on the street. especially NYE. here i got into bed and heard those idiots out on the intersection doing a stupid street takeover. and then heard 4 different impacts. because guess what? its stupid and dangerous and now 4 different people are gonna wake up to their cars trashed. ugh in case you havent noticed i hate those. 

 

otherwise our nye and day was normal and quiet. communion service at church, watched the countdown on animal crossing. and then lazed about watching the rose parade new years day

[Leala]

My family all moved to a village where the majority of residents are retirees, and the crash happened at around 4:30.  Thankfully, the person behind the person who fled was able to get their plate number and gave it to the police.  My mom thinks she saw them lurking around the scene after the police showed up.  They have good car insurance, so they're all covered.

[Cross]

well thats a blessing. do they think they were drunk?

[Leala]

They were in the opposite lane and swerved right into the driver's side, so I think that's a pretty good bet.  If that was them lurking, I bet they were worried they might have hurt someone, but didn't have insurance or something.

[Cross]

which on the one hand good that they have a conscience but on the other come on people! ugh i hate drunk drivers. 

[LilyElizabeth]

18 hours ago, Cross said:

which on the one hand good that they have a conscience but on the other come on people! ugh i hate drunk drivers. 

 

 

Me too! An Uber is not that expensive if you need one. 

[Cross]

precisely. 

 

honestly you'd think uber and those types would provide a service if your drunk and need a ride ya know? like a subscription or special tab or soemthing